Cable reel for a continuously travelling strip sampling apparatus



Jan. 29, 1963 R. A. SCHULTZ ,0

CABLE REEL FOR A CONTINUOUSLY TRAVELLING STRIP SAMPLING APPARATUS FiledSept. 1, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIVVEIVTOR TA. SCHULTZ ROBE R WM A/IomeyJan. 29, 1963 R. A. SCHULTZ 3,075,420

CABLE REEL FOR A CONTINUOUSLY TRAVELLING STRIP SAMPLING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 1, 1959 Jan. 29, 1963 R. A. SCHULTZ 3,075,420

CABLE REEL FOR A CONTINUOUSLY TRAVELLING STRIP SAMPLING APPARATUS FiledSept. 1. 1959 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TEE-.4; TIE-47 //V l/E N TOR ROBERT A..SCHUL 7' Z fi m/ 40% 197113;

A/r'arn r Jan. 29, 1963 R. A. SCHULTZ 3,075,420 CABLE REEL FOR A 001m NUOUSLY TRAVELLING STRIP SAMPLING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 1, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 4 I P INVENTOR ROBERT A. SCHUL T2 Af/omey United StatesPatent 3,075,420 CABLE REEL FOR A CONTINUQUSLY TRAVEL- LING STRIPSAMPLING APPARATUS Robert A. Schultz, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor toUnited States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Sept.1, 1959, Ser. No. 837,418 11 Claims. ('Cl. 83-298) This inventionrelates, as indicated, to a reel for cables and the like.

It relates more particularly to a cable reel that is especially adaptedfor use in apparatus for punching samples from continuously travellingmetal strip of the type, for example, shown in the co-pendingapplication of Alfred Teplitz, Serial No. 827,287, filed July 15, 1959.In a manner to be described it incorporates improvements that aredirected to the end of synchronizing the movement of a punch frame withrespect to travelling strip from which a sample is to be removed. Forthis and other purposes one of the principal objects of this inventionis to provide for adjustment of the cable winding diameter of the reeland thereby regulation of its rotational speed with reference to thelinear speed of the cable moving from the reel and a punch frame orcarriage connected thereto. A related object is to provide a reelcomprised of circumferentially spaced parallel bars which furnish a reelsupport for the cable and which are adjustably supported for movement ina radial direction to vary the winding diameter of the reel.

Another object is to provide a. reel in which the free portion of acable being reeled or unreeled with respect thereto is constrained tomovement along an unchanging linear and vertical path that extendstangentially relative to its periphery. To this end the reel is mountedfor axial traversing movement and has a traversing drive for moving itaxially in response to rotation thereof in such manner that the cable iswound or unwound relative thereto with a threading action. In thismanner the angle of the cable relative to the reel, which continuouslychanges in conventional reversing reels, is maintained constant tothereby eliminate variation in cable speed as well as wear on the cablethat normally takes place in conventional apparatus as the result ofchange in the angular position of the cable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description.

The accompanying drawings show a preferred embodiment of the reel ofthis invention and the manner in which it forms a part of a stripsampling apparatus of the character mentioned generally above. In thisshowing:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a strip sampling apparatus for whichthe cable reel of this invention is especially adapted;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevational view looking from the right ofFIGURE 1 with the punch frame thereof shown in an elevated position andin which the reel of this invention is shown diagrammatically;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing somewhatdiagrammatically an over-running clutch that forms part of the drive forcontrolling rotation of the reel shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken sub stantially in theplane of the line IVIV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a diametral sectional view of the reel of this invention inWhich fragmentary parts thereof are shown in elevation;

FIGURE 6 is an end elevational view of the central or inner hub of thereel shown in FIGURE 5; and FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along theline VIIVII thereof;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of the outer hub of the reel shownin FIGURE 5; and FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IXI.Xthereof;

FIGURES l0 and 11 are respectively side and end elevational views of oneof the bars that form a reeling support for the cable;

FIGURE 12 is an end elevational view of the adjusting ring that controlsthe angular position of the reeling bars; and FIGURE 13 is a sideelevation thereof in which a fragmentary part is broken away and shownin section;

FIGURE 14 is an end elevation of one of the mounting rings for the barsof the cable reeling support;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged and fragmentary end elevational view showingthe mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the adjusting ringshown in FIGURES l2 and 13; and

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of FIGURE 15.

The strip punching apparatus shown somewhat diagrammatically in FIGURES1 and 2, as indicated above, is covered by the above mentioned Teplitzapplication to which reference is made for a more detailed descriptionthereof. It comprises, generally stated, a punch-frame assembly 1, whichis mounted for vertical movement with respect to a frame 2, a hoist unit3 that controls the raising and lowering movements of the assembly 1,and a pair of carnming units 4 (only one of which is shown in FIGURE 1)respectively arranged in the path of vertical movement of opposite endof the assembly 1, for operating it to effect a strip punchingoperation. The strip S travels continuously over guide rolls 5, 6 and 7and moves down-' wardly over a vertical path between the guide rolls 6and 7 that extends through the punch-frame assembly 1. To effect a strippunching operation, the hoist unit 3 is operated to elevate thepunch-frame assembly 1 from its lowered position shown in FIGURE 1 toits elevated position shown in FIGURE 1 to its elevated position shownin FIGURE 2, where it is released for gravitational downward movement inthe direction of strip travel between the guide rolls 6 and 7. As theassembly moves downwardly, the caming units 4 operate punch and diedevices 8 and 9, which are respectively positioned on opposite sides ofthe strip S, to effect a strip punching operation. The assembly 1comprises a carriage in the form of a rectangular frame 10 which has itsvertical movement guided by rods 11 that are fastened to standards 12extending vertically along opposite edges of the strip S as best shownin FIGURE 2. secured in facing relation along the inner sides of thestandards 12.

As indicated above raising and lowering movement of the assembly 1 iscontrolled by the hoist unit 3, which includes the winding drum or reel13 (shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 2) of this invention and a hoistcable 14 that has its lower end 15 connected to the frame 10 and itsother end anchored and wound in the reel 13. The drum 13 is mounted forrotation with a shaft 16 which is supported in bearings 17 and is drivenby an electric hoist motor 18 through a chain and sprocket drive 19.Upon operation of the motor 18, the drum 13 is rotated to wind the cablethereon and raise the assembly 1 to the elevated position shown inFIGURE 2. As the assembly moves into this position, a limit switch 20,which controls rotation of the drum 13 by the shaft 16, is actuated todiscontinue the upward movement of the assembly 1 and release it forgravitational movement downwardly over the guide rods 11. While the drum13 in the preferred construction of the unit 3 is connected and releasedwith respect to the motor sprocket drive 18-19 netic clutches (notshown), the drive shaft 16 can be regarded for the purpose of thisinvention as being driven directly by the sprocket drive Iii-19 suchthat raising and lowering of the assembly 1 is controlled by theenergized condition of the motor 18. understood that the limit switch 20can be regarded as The camming units 4 referred to above are throughmagi In this respect, it will be a controlling the energization of themotor 18 and, more particularly, as operating to de-energize it and torelease the drum 13 for a gravitational lowering movement or theassembly 1.

In order that the strip will not be torn or mutilated when the punchingoperation is eifected, the, assembly 1 must have a downward speed, whenit is opposite the camming units 4 and a strip punching operation of thepunch and die devices '8 and 9 is eficcted thereby, that exactly matchesthe speed of travel of the strip S. Synchronization of the speed of thedownward movement of the assembly 1 and the strip S is essential inorder that there will be no relative vertical movement between the stripand the punch and die parts 8-9 when they are operated to punch a samplefrom the strip S. The speed synchronization for this purpose is,according to the invention covered by my co-pending application, SerialNo. 829,379, filed July 24, 1959, preferably accomplished through adrive that includes an over-running clutch 21 which forms part of thehoist unit 3. The clutch 21 is conventional and is showndiagrarnmatically in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings as comprising aninner race 22 connected by a key 23 to the shaft 16, and an outer race24 supported for rotation on the outer end 25 of the shaft 16. The outerrace 24 is rotated continuously in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIGURE 4 by a chain and sprocket drive which includes asprocket 26 keyed to the outer race 24, a sprocket 27 (see FIGURE 2)connected with the strip guide roll 6 for rotation therewith, and asprocket chain 28 connecting the sprockets 26 and 27. Since the guideroll 6 has frictional engagement with the strip S and is thus driven ata speed corresponding to the linear speed of, strip movement, the outerrace 24 is continuously driven at a rotational speed corresponding tothe linear speed of strip travel. The over-running feature of the clutch21 is provided by clutch wedges or sprags 29 between the inner race 22and the outer race 24 which perate to prevent rotation of the inner race22 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 4, at arotational speed greater than the rotational speed of the outer race 24.In this manner, the over-running clutch 21 provides for unrestrictedrelative rotation of the inner race 22 and shaft 16 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 4, to permit elevation of the frameassembly 1, and to permit its downward acceleration by gravity toa speedcorresponding to the speed of strip travel. When the clutch sprags 29operate to lock the inner race 22 to the outer race 24, further increasein the speed of downward movement of the assembly 1 by gravitationalacceleration is prevented, and this action takes place when the assembly1 reaches the speed at which the. strip S is travelling.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the synchronizing driveacting through the over-running clutch 21"operates to synchronize thedownward movement of the assembly 1 with the strip S, and that this isaccomplished at different speeds of strip travel. In this respect, itwill be noted that for slow speeds of strip movement the sprags 29operate to lock the inner and outer races 22 and 24 against relativemovement at an early point in thedownward movement of the assembly 1,while for higher strip speeds the sprags 29 operate at a later point inthe downward movement of the assembly 1. The speed synchronizing actionof the clutch 21 enables a stationary location of the limit switch 20 sothat the punch-frame assembly 1 is released for downward movement at afixed elevation for all speeds of strip travel, and the limit switch 20may thus be attached to one of the standards 12 in the fixed positionshown in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURES through 16 show the preferred constructi n ofthe reel 13 of thisinvention. A connection 36 at the right of the reel 13 as viewed inFIGURE 5 anchors the cable 14 thereto. The reel comprises, generallystated,

an inner hub 31 (FIGURES 6 and 7), an outer hub 32 (FIGURES 8 and 9), aplurality of tumblers or eccentric bars 33 (FIGURES 10 and 11) that arearranged in circumferentially spaced and parallel positions about theaxis of the shaft 16 and cooperate to furnish a reeling support for thecable 14, and a ring assembly 3-4 (FIG- URES l2 and 13 for adjusting theangular position of the eccentric bars 33 to vary the effective cablewinding diameter of the reel 13. In a manner to be described, the outerhub 32 and the bars 33 thereon are moved axially in response to rotationof the reel 13 to provide for winding and unwinding of the cable 14thereon with a threading action.

The inner hub 31 is connected by a key 35 (FIGURE 5) to the shaft 16 forrotation therewith. Annular plates 36 at opposite ends of the hub 31furnish a support for a pair of cylindrical quadrants 37 which havewelded connections therewith. The quadrants 37 comprise quarter-sectionsor segments of a cylindrical pipe and are mounted on the end plates 36in diametrically opposed positions displaced relative to each other asbest shown in FIGURE 6.

The outer hub 32 as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 comprises a cylindricalsleeve 38 which has inturned and outturned mounting flanges 39 and 4t}at opposite ends thereof. A pair of cylindrical quadrants 41, in theform of quarter pipe sections or segments, are secured to the internalsurface of the sleeve 38 in diametrically opposed POaltlOIlS displaced90 relative to each other. When the outer hub 32 is assembledconcentrically on the inner hub 31 as shown in FIGURE 5, the inner hubquadrants 37 have meshing engagement with the outer hub quadrants 41,which thus operate to transmit rotary movement between the inner andouter hubs 31 and 32. In addition, the meshing engagement of thequadrants 37 and 41 provides for axial movement of the outer hub 32 withrespect to the inner hub 31, which is secured against axial movement onthe shaft 16.

The outer hub 32 is supported for axial movement on the shaft 16 by anend collar 42 which has a bolted con nection (FIGURE 5) with the i'ntulrned flange 39 and an end collar 43 which has a bolted connection withthe outturned flange 40. Each of the collars 42 and 43 has a centralbushing 44 that supports it for axial Sliding.

movement on the shaft 16. An extension 45 on the collar 43 has threadedengagement in a stationary nut 46, which is connected to the stationaryframework 2 of the apparatus and held thereby against rotation. Thethreaded extension 45 and nut 46 provide a traverse drive which isefiective upon rotation of the reel in response to a cable winding orunwinding operation to impart axial move-- ment to the outer hub 32 sothat the reeling movement of the cable 14 on the supporting bars 33 iseffected with a threading action. By reason of the axial traversingmovement imparted to the reel in this manner, the portion 47 of thecable 14 between its punch carriage connection 15 and the reel 13 (seeFIGURE 2) is maintained in a vertical position tangential to the reel 13as shown in FIGURE 2 and its reeling and unreeling movement takes placeover a rectilinear path extending vertically upwardly from its frameconnection 15. Since the angle of the cable portion 47 relative to thereel 13 never changes, it will be apparent that winding and unwinding ofthe cable on the reel 13 will not affect the speed of movement of thepunch frame carriage 10 which will thus move at a linear speed which isdirectly proportional to the angular velocity of the reel 13. The pitchof the threads on the extension 45 and nut 46 is preferably slightlygreater than the diameter of the cable 14 to prevent side wear on thecable 14 as it is wound and unwound on the reel 13.

As shown in FIGURES l0 and 11, each of the tumblers 33 is a fiat barhaving a rounded inner edge 43 and a rounded outer edge 49 thatfurnishes a reeling support for the cable -14. Trunnions 50 project fromopposite ends of the bar 33 with their axis adjacent the inner edge 48and thus eccentrically located with respect to the cable-reeling outeredge 49 for a purpose to be described. A notch 51 extends inwardly fromthe inner edge 48 at a point intermediate the ends of the bar, and thebar p rtion 52 at the inner end of the notch 51 has a cylindricalcontour to provide for rotational adjustment of the angular position ofthe bar 33 in a manner to be described.

The bars 33 are pivotally supported on the outer hub 32 by a pair ofaxially spaced flanges 53 that, as shown in FIGURE 14, have a pluralityof pivot openings 54 in a number corresponding to the number of bars 33and in which the bar trunnions are pivotally received. The flanges 53are secured to the hub 32 by cylindrical skirts 55 of unequal axiallength along their inner edges that are fitted on the outer surface ofthe hub 32 and are rigidly secured as by welding against rotationalmovement relative thereto. Radially inwardly of the pivot openings 54,each flange 53 has a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate slots 56 fora purpose to be described.

The ring assembly 34 for adjusting the angular position of the bars 33,as shown in FIGURES l2 and 13, comprises a flange 57 that has aplurality of circumferentially spaced slots 58 extending inwardly fromits periphery in which the cylindrical bar portions 52 have a loose fitwhen the ring assembly 34 is mounted on the outer hub 32 as shown inFIGURE 5. The flange 57 is welded along its inner edge to a cylindricalcollar 59 that, in the assembled position shown in FIGURE 5, isrotatably supported on the outer surface of the hub 32 in a positionbetween the flange skirts 55, which operate to hold it against axialmovement relative to the hub 32. In this position, the flange 57 isarranged in an axial position opposite the bar notches 51 and thecylindrical bar portions 52 are received in the flange notches 58. Uponrotation of the ring assembly 34 relative to the hub 32, the bars 33 arerotated about the axes of their respective mounting trunnions 50, andthis rotational movement adjusts the radial position of the bar outeredges 49 with reference to the axis of the hubs 31 and 32 to therebyadjust the effective cable winding diameter of the reel 13. Acylindrical garter spring 60 is applied about the bars 33 to hold themin position after the cable 14 is unwound from the reel.

Adjustment of the angular position of the ring assembly 34 on the hub 32is effected by a pair of rods 61 that are secured to the outer surfaceof the mounting collar 59 in positions extending axially thereof andwith their opposite ends projecting through the arcuate slots 56 in thebar mounting flanges 53. Since the bar mounting flan es 53 are securedagainst movement of the outer hub 32, the maximum angular adjustment ofthe ring assembly 34 thereon is determined by the arcuate length of theslots 56. As shown in FIGURES l5 and 16, each end 62 of the rods 61 isreceived with a snug fit in an opening 63 in an adjusting block 64 thatis mounted for limited arcuate movement over the external surface of oneof the flange mounting skirts 55, and is received in an arcuate shapedopening 65 in a U-shaped guide block 66 welded in an inverted positionto the flange 55. The position of the block 64 in the opening 65 iscontrolled by adjusting screws 67 that have threaded engagement in thelegs 68 of the guide block 66. Adjustment of the position of the blocks64 in the openings 65 adjusts the positions of the rod ends 62 in thearcuate slots 56 in the bar mounting flanges 53, and thereby the angularposition of the ring assembly 34 on the outer hub 32. FIGURES 5 and 15show the relative parts of the ring assembly 34 in the position in whichthe outer edges 49 of the bars 33 provide a cable Winding reel ofmaximum diameter. When the relative positions of the rod ends 62 aremoved to the right in the slot 56 as viewed in FIGURE 15, the ringassembly 34 operates to rotate the bars 33 in a direction which movestheir outer edges 49 inwardly relative to tit) 6 the adjusting ringslots 58 and to thereby decrease the effective winding diameter of thereel 13.

With reference to the strip punching apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 and 2of the drawings, it will be recalled that the chain and sprocket drive26-28 operates through the over-running clutch 21 to prevent furtheracceleration of the speed of downward movement of the punch frame 10when the reel 13 and guide roller 6 are rotating at the same angularvelocity. In order that the downward movement of the frame 10 will besynchronized with the speed of strip travel at this point, it isessential that the peripheral speeds of the roll 6 and reel 13 besynchronized at this time. It will thus be apparent that adjustment ofthe effective winding diameter of the reel 13 that is provided byangular adjustment of the eccentrically mounted bars 33. enablesaccurate synchronization of the movement of the frame 10 with respect tothe strip S. In addition, it will be apparent that the axial movement ofthe reel 13 that is provided by the threaded extension 45 and the nut 46eliminates speed variations due to changing cable angles and thuscontributes to accurate synchronization of the speed of downwardmovement of the frame 10 and travel of the strip S.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described itwill be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combination with a carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage andstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of a mechanical drive means for preventing gravitationalacceleration of said carriage to a speed greater than the speed of striptravel and for synchronizing the carriage movement with the speed ofstrip travel comprising a cable having one end attached to saidcarriage, a rotatable reel on which the other end of said cable iswound, means for moving said reel axially in response to rotationthereof to constrain the portion of said cable between said reel andcarriage to movement along a vertical rectilinear path, and means foradjusting the diameter of said reel to regulate the speed at which it isrotated by unreeling of said cable in response to down- 5 ward movementof said carriage along said path.

2. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combi-' nation with a carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage andstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of means controlling the movement of said carriage comprisinga speed sensing roller engaged with said strip and rotatable at a speedcorresponding to the speed of strip travel, a cable having one endattached to said carriage, a rotatable reel on which the other end ofsaid cable is wound, means interconnecting saidroller and reel includingan over-running clutch for preventing rotation of said reel at a rotaryspeed greater than the rotary speed of said roller, means for movingsaid reel axially in response to rotation thereof to maintain the' portion of said cable between said reel and carriage in a constant verticalposition, and means for adjusting the diameter of said reel to regulatethe speed at which it is rotated by unreeling of said cable in responseto downward movement of said carriage along said path.

3. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combination with a carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage andstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of means controlling the movement apt 5,42

of said carriage comprising a cable having one end attached to saidcarriage, a rotatable reel on which the other end of said cable iswound, and means for moving said reel axially in response to rotationthereof to maintain the portion of said cable between said drum andcarriage in a constant vertical position.

4. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combination with a'carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage antstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of means controlling the movement of said carriage comprisinga cable having one end attached to said carriage, a rotatable reel onwhich the other end of said cable is wound, and means for the diameterof said reel to regulate the speed at which it is rotated by unreelingof said cable in response to downward movement of said carriage alongsaid path.

5. Strip punching apparatus as defined in claim 4 char- 2.

acterized by said reel comprising a rotatable hub, a plurality of barsarranged in circumferentially spaced positions about and parallel to theaxis of said hub, said bars having radially outer and axially extendingedges that cooperate to provide a reel support for said cable, and meanssupporting said bars for movement on said hub and for adjusting theradial positions of their respective outer edges to thereby change theeffective cable winding diameter of said drum.

6 The invention defined in claim 5 characterized further by said barsupporting and adjusting means comprising a pair of axially spaced endflanges on said hub and pivot pins at opposite ends of each of said barsproviding a rotational support therefor on said flanges, the said pivotpins for each of said bars having an eccentric location with respect toits axis so that rotation of each bar relative to said end flanges iseffective to change the radial position of its said outer edge.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 characterized further by said barsupporting and adjusting means comprising an adjusting ring rotatablysupported on said hub in an axial position between said end flanges,said ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced and outwardlyopening notches, and each of said bars having a portion of circularcross-section eccentrically located with respect to the pivot pins atthe ends thereof received in one of said notches, and means foradjusting the rotational position of said ring on said hub to therebyrotate said oars simultaneously and adjust the radial positions of theirsaid outer edges.

8. Strip punching apparatus as defined in claim 2 characterized by saidreel and the said means for adjusting its diameter comprising arotatable hub, a pair of axially spaced end flanges secured to said hubfor rotation therewith, said flanges respectively having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings thereinarranged in axially alignedpairs relative to each other, a plurality of bars respectively havingpivot pins at the ends thereof rotatably supported in one of said pairsof flange openings, said bar pivot pins being eccentrically located withrespect to said bars whereby rotation of each of said bars aboutthe axisof its said pivot pins operates to adjust the position of its outer edgein a radial direction relative to the axis of said hub, said bar outeredges cooperating to provide a reel support for said cable on said hub,an adjusting ring rotatably supported on said hub in an axial positionbetween said end fianges, said ring having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced and outwardly opening notches and each of saidbars having a portion of circular crosssection eccentrically locatedwith respect to the pivot pins at the ends thereof received in one ofsaid notches, and

8 means for adjusting the rotational position of said ring on said hubto thereby rotate said bars simultaneously and adjust the radialpostions of their said outer edges.

9. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combination with a carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage andstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of means controlling the movement of s id carriage comprisinga speed sensing roller engaged with said strip and rotatable at a speedcorresponding to the speed of strip travel, a cable having one endattached to said carriage, a rotatable reel on which the other end ofsaid cable is wound, means interconnecting said roller and reelincluding an over-running clutch for preventing rotation of said reel ata rotary speed greater than the rotary speed of said roller, and meansfor adjusting the diameter of said reel to regulate the speed at whichit is rotated by unreeling of said cable in response to downwardmovement of said carriage along said path.

10; Strip punching apparatus as defined in claim 9 characterized by saidreel and said means for adjusting its diameter comprising a rotatablehub, a pair of axially spaced end flanges secured to said hub forrotation therewith, said flanges respectively having a plurality ofcircumierentially spaced openings therein arranged in axially alignedpairs relative to each other, a plurality of bars respectively havingpivot pins at the ends thereof rotatably supported in one of said pairsof flange openings, said bar pivot pins being eccentrically located withrespect to said bars whereby rotation of each of said bars about theaxis of its said pivot pins operates to adjust the position of its outeredge in a radial direction relative to the axis of said hub, said barouter edges cooperating to provide a reel support for said cable on saidhub, and means for simultaneously adjusting the rotational position ofsaid bars on said hub to thereby adjust the effective diameter of saidreel support.

11. In punching apparatus for taking samples from strip travellingcontinuously over a vertical path, the combination with a carriagemounted for gravitational acceleration along said path, a strip punchingmechanism on said carriage, and means operative when said carriage andstrip are moving at synchronous speeds for actuating said punchingmechanism, of means controlling the movement of said carriage comprisinga speed sensing roller engaged with said strip and rotatable at a speedcorresponding to the speedof strip travel, a cable having one endattached to said carriage, a rotatable reel on which the other end ofsaid cable is wound, means interconnecting said roller and reelincluding an over-running clutch for preventing rotation of said reel ata rotary speed greater than the rotary speed of said roller, and meansfor moving said reel axially in response to rotation thereof to maintainthe portion of said cable between said reel and carriage in a constantvertical position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,188,369 Chernack June 20, 1916 2,145,609 Roe et a1. Jan. 31, 19392,206,627 Borkey July 2, 1940 2,264,287 Betterton et a1. Dec. 2, 19412,287,833 Ridgway June 30, 1942 2,578,825 Miriield et a1. Dec. 18, 19512,659,542 Steuber Nov. 17, 1953 2,746,126 Talbot May 22, 1956 2,797,880Miller et a1. July 2, 1957

1. IN PUNCHING APPARATUS FOR TAKING SAMPLES FROM STRIP TRAVELLING CONTINUOUSLY OVER A VERTICAL PATH, THE COMBINATION WITH A CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOR GRAVITATIONAL ACCELERATION ALONG SAID PATH, A STRIP PUNCHING MECHANISM ON SAID CARRIAGE, AND MEANS OPERATIVE WHEN SAID CARRIAGE AND STRIP ARE MOVING AT SYNCHRONOUS SPEEDS FOR ACTUATING SAID PUNCHING MECHANISM, OF A MECHANICAL DRIVE MEANS FOR PREVENTING GRAVITATIONAL ACCELERATION OF SAID CARRIAGE TO A SPEED GREATER THAN THE SPEED OF STRIP TRAVEL AND FOR SYNCHRONIZING THE CARRIAGE MOVEMENT WITH THE SPEED OF STRIP TRAVEL COMPRISING A CABLE HAVING ONE END ATTACHED TO SAID CARRIAGE, A ROTATABLE REEL ON WHICH THE OTHER END OF SAID CABLE IS WOUND, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID REEL AXIALLY IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION THEREOF TO CONSTRAIN THE PORTION OF SAID CABLE BETWEEN SAID REEL CARRIAGE TO MOVEMENT ALONG A VERTICAL RECTILINEAR PATH, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE DIAMETER OF SAID REEL TO REGULATE THE SPEED AT WHICH IT IS ROTATED BY UNREELING OF SAID CABLE IN RESPONSE TO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIAGE ALONG SAID PATH. 